Just days after asking for a champion vs. champion match, Islam Makhachev will instead get a rematch. Makhachev and Charles Oliveira has been made official for UFC 294, along with Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa.
UFC 294 Official For Islam Makhachev Vs. Charles Oliveira
Instead of getting another current UFC champion, Islam Makhachev’s next fight will be against a former one.
Makhachev will defend his lightweight title against former titleholder Charles Oliveira at UFC 294, Dana White announced Wednesday night.
The event is set for October 21 from Abu Dhabi and the Etihad Arena and will also see Khamzat Chimaev battle Paulo Costa and Nassourdine Imavov square off against Ikram Aliskerov.
“The card that everyone has been waiting for, we got it done,” White said. “I love Abu Dhabi. You literally could not ask for a better destination for a fight.”
Makhachev, 24-1 overall, scored the title with a second round victory over Oliveira in 2022 at UFC 280. In his first title defense, he bested reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski via decision.
Overall, the 31-year-old has won 12 consecutive UFC bouts.
Oliveira rose through the ranks to win the title and defend it before coming up short vs. his next opponent. He bounced back from that loss with a first round finish of Beneil Dariush at UFC 289.
Chimaev and Costa have been chasing each other, as Chimaev puts his 12-0 record on the line vs. Costa, who is coming off a win over Luke Rockhold.
The other announced bout between Imavov and Aliskerov will showcase two fighters looking to take that next step. Imavov lost to Sean Strickland and had a no-contest with Chris Curtis in his last two, while Alikserov finished Phil Hawes to move to 14-1 overall.
You can check out the video with which White used to announce the fights below
